Share

Follow Us on Twitter

strict warning: Non-static method view::load() should not be called statically in /home3/hcgroup/public_html/sites/all/modules/views/views.module on line 879.

strict warning: Declaration of views_handler_argument::init() should be compatible with views_handler::init(&$view, $options) in /home3/hcgroup/public_html/sites/all/modules/views/handlers/views_handler_argument.inc on line 745.

strict warning: Declaration of date_api_argument_handler::init() should be compatible with views_handler_argument::init(&$view, &$options) in /home3/hcgroup/public_html/sites/all/modules/date/includes/date_api_argument_handler.inc on line 381.

strict warning: Declaration of views_handler_filter::options_validate() should be compatible with views_handler::options_validate($form, &$form_state) in /home3/hcgroup/public_html/sites/all/modules/views/handlers/views_handler_filter.inc on line 589.

strict warning: Declaration of views_handler_filter::options_submit() should be compatible with views_handler::options_submit($form, &$form_state) in /home3/hcgroup/public_html/sites/all/modules/views/handlers/views_handler_filter.inc on line 589.

strict warning: Declaration of views_handler_filter_boolean_operator::value_validate() should be compatible with views_handler_filter::value_validate($form, &$form_state) in /home3/hcgroup/public_html/sites/all/modules/views/handlers/views_handler_filter_boolean_operator.inc on line 149.

Submitted by Hamilton on Tue, 07/28/2009 - 1:28pmblog

The Assembly Committee on Natural Resources today held a public hearing on Assembly Bill 138, sponsored by Rep. Spencer Black (D-Madison), which would remove the governor's authority to appoint the Department of Natural Resources secretary.
Under current law, the DNR secretary is nominated by the governor and confirmed by the Wisconsin Senate. Assembly Bill 138 would remove the governor's authority to appoint the DNR secretary. The bill would grant the Natural Resources Board the authority to appoint the DNR secretary to a four-year term. In addition, AB 138 grants the Natural Resources Board the authority to remove the secretary at any time.
The proponents of the bill argued that by allowing the Natural Resources Board the authority to appoint the DNR secretary it takes away the political nature of decision making within the agency. Opponents, including current DNR Secretary Matt Frank, argued that the present system works well and ensures that the DNR secretary remains accountable to the governor, an elected official -- unlike the Natural Resources Board, which is not accountable to the electorate. Under Wisconsin law, the members of the Natural Resources Board are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Wisconsin Senate.
While it appears there are enough votes to pass the legislation, with Gov. Jim Doyle publicly announcing his opposition to the bill, it remains to be seen whether the Governor will veto the bill, and if so, whether the Legislature will have enough votes to override a veto. (The Legislature can override a veto with a two-thirds vote in both houses).